HAYDOCK PARK 15:25 6e1j

All 13 ran.

Time: 1m 14.07s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.3s (102%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.1%

July Cup winner Oxted was a notable absentee from the 2020 Sprint Cup field but otherwise it involved the right faces and was a competitive race for all that the 6f division currently is arguably lacking real star quality; the field split into two groups and the stand side group, which involved several of the better-fancied horses, held the advantage throughout having been taken along at a strong pace by Art Power.

DREAM OF DREAMS (IRE) confirmed that he is indeed better than ever this year, his Hungerford rout very hard to knock on any level anyway, but he backed up the improvement returned to Group 1 company, gaining a belated first win at this level, some compensation for his narrow defeats in the last 2 runnings of the Diamond Jubilee; raced stand side, in touch, travelled smoothly, headway when switched 2f out, led inside final 1f, kept on well; he goes very well at Ascot and, so fresh heading to the backend of the turf season, he'll surely run another big race in the Champions Sprint.

GLEN SHIEL has thrived on a busy campaign since the resumption of racing and really progressed out of all recognition, producing another personal best here to find only one too good in a Group 1 for the first time; raced stand side, close up, pushed along 2f out, led briefly entering final 1f, kept on and gave his all; he's very genuine and there's no reason to think he won't continue to run well.

GOLDEN HORDE (IRE) is proving thoroughly dependable and ran a massive race on ground more testing than he'd previously shown his best form on, undeniably doing well under the circumstances as he fared much the best of the group that stayed down the middle of the track (The Tin Man in sixth next best there); raced centre, led group, went with enthusiasm, close up over 1f out, kept on; he'll have to be of interest in the Champions Sprint.

ART POWER (IRE) was more comfortable back at 6f and wasted no time putting the disappointment of the Nunthorpe behind him, no excuses on the day, but an in-the-frame finish in a Group 1 underlines the vast progress he's made in this 3-y-o season; raced stand side, led overall, headed entering final 1f, kept on; there's plenty of time yet for him to progress into a bigger force at this level and he could be a permanent fixture in the top sprints for some time to come.

HELLO YOUMZAIN (FR) had plenty in his favour in of the conditions and was in the right group as it developed but ran just respectably in his bid to repeat last year's win in this race, ittedly a little tight for room as he was asked for an effort but it probably didn't make much difference; chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, short of room briefly, edged left, one paced.

THE TIN MAN who'd won or been placed in the last 4 renewals of this race, isn't quite the force he was but shaped as if still in good form at least, second home in his group; raced centre, tracked pace, ridden 2f out, kept on.

LOPE Y FERNANDEZ (IRE) didn't seem to cope with the drop to a bare 6f on the day, unable to travel with his usual zip; raced stand side, held up, outpaced around 2f out, hung left, never on .

SUMMERGHAND (IRE) wasn't disgraced but essentially found this too competitive; raced centre, in rear, plugged on, never dangerous.

BRANDO hasn't hit the same levels this year, better off with his sights lowered at 6f these days; dwelt, raced stand side, headway when edged left over 1f out, effort flattened out.

ARCHER'S DREAM (IRE) was flying too high in this grade; raced centre, held up, outpaced 2f out, never dangerous.

FOREVER IN DREAMS (IRE) ran below form and has struggled with consistency this year; raced centre, close up, lost place over 1f out, weakened.

QUEEN JO JO was out of her depth; raced centre, mid-division, struggling soon after halfway, dropped away.

TABDEED wasn't in the same form as last time; raced centre, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out.